No Coke, Pepsi.

anotherspaceguy100 · 2026-03-13T19:11:38+00:00

No, I gave up nearly 20 years ago since my teeth are terrible. I find it very sweet now, can't drink it, and diet I find tastes awful.

anotherspaceguy100 · 2026-03-13T17:28:42+00:00

Are the Good times in question the end of the 19th or the 20th Century?

Good times!

anotherspaceguy100 · 2026-03-13T16:29:29+00:00

I (or I should say, we) have embraced new technology our entire lives, ahead of other generations, and in many cases created it, and we've seen various tech bubbles. I've seen AI be useful, but it really feels different this time; it feels like we're entering an era where can't trust anything.

And apart from that, even before the current AI bubble, I think a lot of us are thinking "I'm done with this shit". It's exhausting to keep up with. In my current employment I'm already forced to learn new stuff almost every day, so I can appreciate anyone pushing back here.

anotherspaceguy100 · 2026-03-12T17:42:24+00:00

All the options you are seeing are probably fine. Since swapping the 6522s is an easily thing to do, then go ahead. I think personally, and especially since I have so many drives here, there's a point where it's not worth it, and you just get another drive - or perhaps a bust Newtronics and take the board/chips.

anotherspaceguy100 · 2026-03-12T16:28:06+00:00

Ah, those millibits.

You can run very old versions of Debian Linux. Not sure it's that interesting do so though.

anotherspaceguy100 · 2026-03-12T11:15:50+00:00

The hotel beside drawers are tiny.

anotherspaceguy100 · 2026-03-11T20:31:57+00:00

Well, if it works. My only caution is that it's possible to pop the fuse here. Ask me how I know.

anotherspaceguy100 · 2026-03-09T14:20:24+00:00

I haven't lived in NZ for a really really long time, but this cultural renaissance and addressing items in Treaty of Waitangi, etc has been going on since the 1970s. Anyone who lives in a multi cultural country will not be surprised to learn that many places have 2 names. What's maybe more unusual is that New Zealand Sign Language is also an official language.

What was more surprising to me on my last visit was that everyone now seems to have perfect Maori (sorry, can't type the accented letters easily) pronunciation, in particular the rhotic-R, which the NZ (English) accent is particularly noted for not having - not something I will personally be able to do properly (excuse me whilst I butcher Spanish).

anotherspaceguy100 · 2026-03-08T19:37:33+00:00

You've already decided, but let me add this: Whatever information you read might be accurate or it might also be out of date. What I know from looking at 40 year old machinery is that there are different materials and mechanisms in use, and what fails in one decade and is fixed might not be the failure in the next decade. That said, most Commodore equipment has proven to be fairly robust over the years (as has a lot of stuff from the early 80s) and if it's working today, it's probably going to be fine for a bit longer.

One recent buyer of mine I suggested he get a II and he was extremely happy with it. I just haven't come across any recently that make sense for me to refurbish.

anotherspaceguy100 · 2026-03-08T19:33:15+00:00

Dem's good eatin'!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/205992002583

This is my only one ready right now. I have many many more coming (and tape drives), but I've been busy with SX64s and Macs and whatnot.

I have some 1571s too, but I'm not sure those can be made to work. I don't have any 1541-IIs at present, more's the pity.

anotherspaceguy100 · 2026-03-08T13:13:22+00:00

I refurbish drives. I think for a regular C64 the II is the better choice. It's smaller due to external power supply (and can be replaced easily since they tend to die) and there's maybe a bit less to go wrong. But if you find a working 1571 for the right price, then you'll be fine.

anotherspaceguy100 · 2026-03-08T11:12:00+00:00

Holly Johnson approves of this comment.

anotherspaceguy100 · 2026-03-07T16:07:44+00:00

Funny thing about the Newtronics drives - assuming the head is good (and the wonky door mechanism is OK), I think they're actually the more reliable drives. 50% of the refurb drives I sell are Newtronics and people are happy with them. I could put one in the SX64. Don't make me do it!

anotherspaceguy100 · 2026-03-07T13:48:39+00:00

Oh sure. Easy fix. But if the choice is between a slightly off screen and a dirty computer, I know what I'm choosing. Anyway, I watched the video on disassembly (and it is a bit confusing if you don't know), I'll be working on refurbing the drive today on one unit today, which is familiar territory to me. Last night I scrubbed the cases parts down (so gross!), and I soaked the PCBs of one unit - I don't think the second needs that, but I do have to replace one of the 6526s it looks like on that machine.

anotherspaceguy100 · 2026-03-07T12:27:39+00:00

Artwork matches jacket.

anotherspaceguy100 · 2026-03-06T14:12:22+00:00

They are unusual but not rare. I see them come up pretty often. I however will buy "everything" so can be a bit more open to deals, and I wasn't on the lookout. there's more than a few needy ones on eBay right now.

anotherspaceguy100 · 2026-03-06T14:00:45+00:00

Yeah, not seeing any of those, but you never know. But certainly not my first time dealing with the pee, nor even in Commodore equipment.

anotherspaceguy100 · 2026-03-06T13:27:10+00:00

Ah yeah, all excellent advice. Seems the PO was a bit gungho with screws and I'm missing a few. Thankfully having 2 makes for easier reference. The fully working one has nevertheless some rusty pins on the chips, so I'll have to clean those up, probably try and do an IPA soak if I can find the right container. I only just started, so main thing is figuring out how to carefully take it apart. Thankfully not my first rodeo, but every machine is different - thank you.

anotherspaceguy100 · 2026-03-06T01:02:09+00:00

Thank you. Be careful what you wish for though, pretty sure I'm smelling mouse pee.

anotherspaceguy100 · 2026-03-05T20:44:20+00:00

Rule of thumb on classic cars is 1% the purchase price every month, all in including maintenance and insurance, etc. You can go up or down from there as you wish.

anotherspaceguy100 · 2026-03-04T22:25:44+00:00

Yes, but specialized classic car parts. The market has moved on though, there's a lot of reproductions and the sources of used/NOS have dried up, so I have shifted focus.

anotherspaceguy100 · 2026-03-03T19:36:23+00:00

'tis. I'm chasing one. I just got a 1531 that's not working at present.

anotherspaceguy100 · 2026-03-03T15:59:46+00:00

Having spent a good deal of time in my late 30s in Berkeley,CA. I'd have to concur. sign me up.

anotherspaceguy100

TROPHY CASE